Iceland Tastes So Good, They’re Giving Us Another Chance To Savor Its Wonders

Last year’s TASTE OF ICELAND Festival was so popular that it’s returning for a sequel. Yes, the icy delights of Reyjkavik will once against tantalize Seattle’s eyes, ears and tongues for another 4 day festival involving the best food, drink, music, art and culture Iceland has to offer. 

Taste of Iceland 2 kicks off October 11th for a 4 day fest that includes:

• Culinary take-over of Tom Douglas’ Italian eatery Cuoco
• Reykjavik Calling – a free 21+ concert at KEXP
• Shortfish – An Icelandic film festival
• Presentation and discussion of Icelandic architecture and design
• Panel and networking event centered around innovative and sustainable energy
• Internationally-celebrated Icelandic author at Elliott Bay Book Company
• Day-long celebration marking Iceland’s 100 years of independence

Here’s more details on all the events for this year’s festival:

FOOD:  ICELANDIC RESTAURANT TAKEOVER AT CUOCO

Thursday, October 11 – Sunday, October 14

Award-winning Icelandic Chef Hákon Már Örvarsson from Essensia Restaurant in Reykjavik will partner with Cuoco’s Chef Ron Anderson to present a one-of-a-kind, four-course dining experience that showcases some of Iceland’s finest ingredients.  This cross-cultural prix fixe menu includes arctic char, salted cod bacalao and langoustine, free range Icelandic lamb, and, of course, Icelandic Provisions’ Skyr of the Vikings for dessert. In addition, Teitur Ridderman Schiöth, one of Iceland’s premier bartenders, will join Cuoco’s mixologist Nikki Koth to create a flight of custom cocktails featuring Reyka Vodka and Brennivín. The prix fixe dinner is $80.

Reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made via www.cuoco-seattle.com, OpenTable or by calling the restaurant at 206.971.0710.

 

MUSIC:  REYKJAVIK CALLING – FREE CONCERT AT KEXP’S GATHERING SPACE

Saturday, October 13 | Doors open at 7:00 p.m.

Reykjavik Calling, presented by KEXP and Iceland Airwaves, will feature Icelandic artists Vök, winners of Iceland’s prestigious Músíktilraunir battle of the bands contest known for their electronic dream-pop, and Gyda, who’s first solo album, Epicycle, won Album of the Year at the 2016 Iceland Music Awards.  On Friday, October 12, both musicians will perform live on 90.3 KEXP in Seattle and stream live at KEXP.ORG.  Vök’s live session will be at noon with Gyda’s following at 3 p.m. Both sessions are free to attend and open to all ages.  For more information visit KEXP.ORG.  The Icelandic musicians will be joined on Saturday night at Reykjavik Calling by a Seattle-based artist to be announced.  Reykjavik Calling is 21+ with doors opening at 7:00 p.m. and the show beginning at 8:00 p.m.  RSVPs are required, but do not guarantee entry as space is limited and entry will be granted on a first come first served basis.

SUSTAINABILITY: ENERGY INNOVATION IN ICELAND AND WASHINGTON STATE – A DISCUSSION AT THE NORDIC MUSEUM

Thursday, October 11 | 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Iceland is a global leader in renewable energy, generating more than 99% of its energy from renewable resources. At this event, executives from Landsvirkjun, Iceland’s National Power Company, along with  the CleanTech Alliance, Washington State Department of Commerce, and Impact Bioenergy Inc. will join together to discuss energy innovations and new opportunities being created in both Iceland and Washington. Interested attendees are asked to register to attend.  Space is limited – entry will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis. The event will be followed by a cocktail reception from 5:00-6:00 p.m.

 

DESIGN:  ICELAND’S THRIVING DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURAL SCENE – A DISCUSSION AT THE NORDIC MUSEUM

Thursday, October 11 | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

The Iceland Design Center presents: Iceland’s Thriving Design and Architectural Scene. Join Halla Helgadóttir, Managing Director of the Iceland Design Center, Surya Vanka, Founder and Chief Designer at Authentic Design, and  at the Nordic Museum for a discussion on Icelandic design and architecture. This free event, in partnership with Mithun and AIA Seattle, will look at how the designer-driven community behind The Iceland Design Center and DesignMarch has enabled Icelandic design and architecture to emerge on the global scene. DesignMarch is Iceland’s most important annual design festival, covering all fields from fashion to furniture, architecture to food design, and graphic design to product design. Interested attendees are encouraged to RSVP on Facebook. Space is limited – entry will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis.

LITERATURE:  A DISCUSSION WITH ANDRI SNÆR MAGNASON AT THE ELLIOTT BAY BOOK COMPANY

Friday, October 12 | 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

At this unique event, a partnership between Elliott Bay Book Company, Seattle UNESCO City of Literature and Iceland Naturally, Author Andri Snær Magnason will discuss his wide-ranging work that includes supermarket poetry, science fiction, and critical writings about current issues in Iceland. Andri is one of Iceland’s leading literary voices and his novel LoveStar won the leading science fiction awards in France 2016 – Le Grand Prix de l’Imaginaire, and a Philip K. Dick Citation of Excellence in the United States. Andri has won the Icelandic literary awards for fiction, non-fiction and YA/childrens’ books. His next book, The Casket of Time, comes out in April 2019.  Andri is also currently the chairman of Reykjavík, Unesco City of Literature.  Interested attendees are encouraged to RSVP on Facebook. Space is limited – entry will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

CULTURE:  100-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF ICELAND‘S INDEPENDENCE  – A CELEBRATION AT KEXP’S GATHERING SPACE

Saturday, October 13 | 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

All things Iceland will be showcased at KEXP’s Gathering Space during this day of celebration, including presentations and discussions focused on Iceland’s independence, geothermal energy, design and literature.  Visitors will also have the opportunity to learn firsthand about some of Iceland’s top businesses and exports from companies including Icelandair, Icelandic Provisions, Brennivin, Reyka Vodka, Blue Lagoon, Icelandic Glacial, and Landsvirkjun.  For specifics on the day’s activities, click here.

 

FILM:  SHORTFISH RETURNS:  ICELAND’S PREMIER SHORT FILM FESTIVAL AT THE NORDIC MUSEUM

Sunday, October 14 | 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

The Icelandic film industry’s premier festival, Stockfish, will screen its short film program on Sunday, October 14 at the Nordic Museum at 2 p.m. The short film division of the Stockfish Festival, aptly dubbed Shortfish, focuses on highlighting up-and-coming Icelandic filmmakers. The Shortfish screening at the Nordic Museum will feature six short films and run for approximately 90 minutes. Admission is free on a first-come, first-served basis. There are no age restrictions on these films, but they are not recommended for children.  Interested attendees are encouraged to RSVP on Facebook here. Space is limited – entry will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Stay up-to-date on Taste of Iceland events happening in Seattle by following @IcelandNatural and using #TasteofIceland on Twitter and Instagram and ‘Liking’ Iceland Naturally on Facebook. Visit www.icelandnaturally.com to learn more about Taste of Iceland in Seattle.

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About Taste of Iceland in Seattle
The acclaimed, multi-day festival showcases the best of Iceland, offering attendees an experiential glimpse into Iceland’s rich culture, creativity and innovation. Taste of Iceland in Seattle is presented by Iceland Naturally in cooperation with Icelandair, Reyka Vodka, Blue Lagoon, Visit Reykjavik, Icelandic Glacial, Promote Iceland, Icelandic Provisions, Brennivin, Landsvirkjun, Iceland Airwaves, Icelandic Art Center, AIA Seattle, CleanTech Alliance, Cuoco, Elliott Bay Book Company,KEXP,  Mithun, Nordic Museum, Seattle Weekly, and the Washington State Department of Commerce.

About Iceland Naturally
Iceland Naturally is a cooperative marketing organization comprised of top Icelandic brands that promotes the tourism, services, products and culture of Iceland to the North American audience. It represents the true essence of Iceland, its creativity and spectacular natural wonders. Through a series of robust online channels, Iceland Naturally bridges the gap between North America and Iceland in engaging and meaningful ways. Its online presence showcases the best of what Iceland has to offer, and encourages North Americans to experience the country for themselves. The group is comprised of Iceland’s top companies and organizations: Blue Lagoon, City of Reykjavik, Government of Iceland, Icelandair, Icelandic Glacial, Icelandic Group, Icelandic Provisions, Keflavik International Airport (KEF), Landsvirkjun, Ölgerðin Egill Skallagrímsson, Promote Iceland, and Reyka Vodka. Follow Iceland Naturally on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.